What is Ramadan and why do Muslims fast?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day for a whole month because Allah commanded it in the Quran. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, a month of worship, self-control, charity and reading the Quran.
What Ramadan is
Ramadan is a month in the Islamic calendar, which follows the moon. Because the lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan moves earlier every year and slowly passes through every season. It lasts 29 or 30 days and ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. See When does Ramadan start in 2027?
It is special because the Quran was first revealed in this month. The Prophet ﷺ said that when Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened (Sahih al-Bukhari 1899).
Why Muslims fast
The simple answer is that Allah commanded it. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars Islam is built on, together with the testimony of faith, prayer, zakat and Hajj (Sahih al-Bukhari 8). The Quran also gives the purpose of fasting: to gain taqwa, an awareness of Allah that guards you from wrongdoing.
The verse shows that fasting is not new: earlier prophets and their followers fasted too. The Prophet ﷺ promised that whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward will have their past sins forgiven (Sahih al-Bukhari 38).
What fasting involves
- From dawn to sunset: no food, no drink (not even water), no smoking and no sexual relations.
- Good manners too: the Prophet ﷺ said that whoever does not give up lying and acting on it, Allah has no need for him to give up his food and drink (Sahih al-Bukhari 1903).
- Meals at night: a pre-dawn meal called suhoor and the meal at sunset called iftar.
- Extra worship: night prayers (taraweeh), reading the Quran, dua and giving charity.
Who has to fast
Every adult, sane Muslim who is healthy and not travelling has to fast. People who are ill, travelling, pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating are excused and usually make the days up later. Elderly people and the chronically ill who cannot fast feed a poor person for each day instead. Children are encouraged to practise but don't have to fast until puberty.
Many people find the benefits go far beyond the rules: more patience, more gratitude, a closer community and a calmer heart. See What are the benefits of fasting in Islam?
- Ramadan is the ninth lunar month and lasts 29 or 30 days.
- Muslims fast from dawn to sunset because Allah commanded it (Quran 2:183).
- The goal is taqwa: awareness of Allah, self-control and good character.
- The sick, travellers and others with valid reasons are excused.
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